[n. of action corresp. to LABEFY: see -FACTION.] A shaking, weakening; overthrow, downfall.
1620. Venner, Via Recta, ii. 41. A suddaine labefaction of the liuer. Ibid., vii. 123. It … resisteth the corruption of humors, and labefaction of the vitall and naturall parts.
1793. W. Roberts, Looker-on, No. 36 (1794), II. 41. We should … join them in promoting the labefaction of all human government.
1834. Gladstone, in Liddon, Life Pusey (1893), I. xiii. 309. Until the whole body of Churchmen is in such a state that all will be … secure against labefaction.
1878. R. W. Dixon, Hist. Ch. Eng., I. v. 321. To private difficulties and causes of labefaction such as these, must be added several notable measures of confiscation which took place within the same limits of time.
